On The Afternoon Show today Gavin Grace spoke with President of the Students Union in the University of Limerick – Adam Moursy. The Union of Students in Ireland says an emergency fund should be available in Universities for students who are struggling to meet fee payments. The call comes following reports that colleges are using debt collectors to chase students down for unpaid fees. UCD followed in the footsteps of the UL ho have already used a debt-collecting agency. However UL Students Union disagrees with the reports – they say that graduates are in the line of fire from debt collectors rather than current students. Current students will however be indirectly hit when a deficit in the college funds mean a cut in student services.
Dermot Jewell from the Consumer Association of Ireland was also a guest of the show to discuss the group’s findings in relation to our grocery bills. The price of a typical basket of grocery staples has increased by 12% in two years according to the Consumer Association of Ireland. The Association has tracked a list of commonly bought groceries and found 16 out of 19 products rose by between 5.5% and 38% in 20 months. The goods including tea, bread, milk and sugar cost just over €36in 2011 – but has risen to €41 today.
Michael Collins is a trainee teacher from Bruff in Co. Limerick and has epilepsy. He spoke to Clare FM’s Gavin Grace about what the condition means for him day to day. New research has shown that there is still a lack of understanding about epilepsy in Ireland. Epilepsy Ireland has found that serious misconceptions around the condition remain. Their findings also show that one in five Irish people would not employ someone with epilepsy.
Tom Blake is the Director of the Irish National Seismic Network and joined gavin to talk about how the energy from today’s underground nuclear test in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) was felt as far away as Ireland and recorded on seismometers in Dublin and Donegal. The seismometers picked up the "explosion-like" event approximately 11 minutes after North Korea detonated what it called a “miniaturised” nuclear device.
Molly Muldoon is the Deputy Editor of Irish Central in New York and joined the show for a look at the biggest news stories that are impacting on the Irish community in the US.
Doris McNamara is a Baker with O’Connors Bakery in Ennis and let listeners know the do’s and don’ts of pancake making – as today is Pancake Tuesday. She gave us tips on how to make sure they don’t stick to the pan and some ideas for toppings!
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